The morning after the evaluation brought changes that were both subtle and profound. Lin Feng woke in the diplomatic residence to find his status had transformed overnight—no longer merely a guest but formally recognized as the Ice Goddess's Dao Companion and accepted guest disciple of one of the continent's most powerful sects.
The transformation was evident in small details. Servants who'd been politely distant now showed genuine respect. Frozen Sky disciples who'd ignored him yesterday nodded acknowledgment when passing. Even the spiritual energy in his quarters felt different—formations had been adjusted to provide enhanced cultivation support befitting his new status.
Through the Dao Thread, Yun Qingxue's presence carried contentment that had been absent during weeks of evaluation anxiety: Good morning. Sleep well?
Barely slept. Too much processing yesterday's events. Lin Feng stood and moved to his window, watching the sect's morning routines. Still feels surreal. They actually approved. Unanimously.
Because you earned it through merit. Not politics, not connections—pure capability demonstration. Her pride through the bond was palpable. Lin Feng, you need to understand what this means. Guest disciple status with six-month residency is extraordinary honor. Most cultivators train their entire lives hoping for such opportunity.
I understand the opportunity's value. But I also understand it comes with expectations I need to meet.
You will. You always do.
A knock at his door announced Elder Shuangxue's arrival with formal documentation and schedule details.
"Lin Feng. Congratulations on your evaluation success." She handed him a jade slip and several scrolls. "These contain your guest disciple authorization, access permissions for sect facilities, and training schedule for the six-month residency period."
Lin Feng accepted the materials, channeling spiritual energy into the jade slip to review its contents. The access permissions were remarkably comprehensive—technique library browsing rights, formation study area usage, even permission to observe advanced disciples' training sessions. The only restrictions were on core sect secrets and areas requiring Immortal Emperor level cultivation to enter safely.
"This is... generous."
"Your evaluation performance was exceptional. The sect invests in talents who demonstrate genuine potential." Elder Shuangxue's tone was professional but carried underlying warmth. "Your training schedule includes personal instruction from three different elders—Grand Elder Bingxin for dao comprehension, Elder Fengxue for ice-element techniques that complement void cultivation, and Elder Tianxue for philosophical advancement."
"Elder instruction is typically reserved for inner disciples. I'm merely a guest."
"You're the Ice Goddess's acknowledged Dao Companion and a cultivator who demonstrated Cloud Transformation potential. That status merits exceptional training access." She paused. "Though I should mention—not all sect members are pleased with your presence. Elder Xuanbing's faction, while forced to accept the evaluation results, remains skeptical. You'll encounter political friction during your residency."
"I expected as much. Politics are unavoidable at this level."
"Indeed. But Lin Feng, a word of advice—prove yourself through cultivation advancement and conduct rather than political maneuvering. Let your merit speak louder than any words." Elder Shuangxue smiled slightly. "You've already demonstrated that approach works. Continue it."
After she departed, Lin Feng spent the morning reviewing his training schedule and access permissions. The six-month residency was structured to provide maximum benefit—specialized instruction, resource access, and exposure to cultivation methods that would accelerate his advancement significantly.
Six months here could advance my cultivation by years compared to normal training. The resources alone—spirit stones, medicinal pills, technique scrolls—represent wealth beyond Celestial Dawn Sect's entire treasury.
But accepting this opportunity means delaying return home. The internal investigation Elder Yuan mentioned will need to proceed without me. The potential Crimson Empress infiltration...
Through the Dao Thread: You're worried about leaving Celestial Dawn vulnerable while you train here.
Am I that transparent even through mental connection?
No. I just know you. Yun Qingxue's presence carried understanding. Lin Feng, your sect wants you to take this opportunity. The Patriarch explicitly told you to accept if offered. Your advancement here benefits everyone—stronger you means stronger protection for allies when threats emerge.
Logical. But it still feels like abandoning responsibility.
It's strategic positioning. Six months training that accelerates you toward Cloud Transformation means you return home significantly more capable of protecting what matters.
Around midday, Patriarch Cloud Heaven requested meeting to discuss the residency arrangement and coordination with Celestial Dawn Sect's needs.
"First, congratulations." The Patriarch's satisfaction was evident. "Your evaluation success brings tremendous honor to our sect. The entire cultivation world will soon know that Celestial Dawn produced a disciple worthy of recognition by Frozen Sky Sect."
"Thank you, Patriarch. Though I worry about being absent from sect duties for six months."
"Your duty now is advancement. Reaching Cloud Transformation as quickly as possible." Cloud Heaven's tone was firm. "Lin Feng, you've proven yourself at Divine Domain levels. The next threshold is what matters—Cloud Transformation represents true power, genuine influence. Six months of focused training here could shorten your timeline by years."
"What about the internal investigation? The potential Crimson Empress infiltration?"
"Elder Yuan and I will handle that situation. You've done enough recently—tournament performance, evaluation success, constant pressure and danger. Take these six months to focus purely on cultivation." The Patriarch's expression softened. "You've earned this opportunity. Don't let duty-guilt prevent you from accepting it."
They discussed logistics for another hour—how Lin Feng would maintain communication with Celestial Dawn, what reports he should provide about training progress, when he might return for brief visits if sect situations required his presence.
"One more thing," Cloud Heaven said as their meeting concluded. "The formal announcement of your recognition as Lady Yun's Dao Companion will be made tonight at a sect-wide gathering. You should prepare appropriate remarks—nothing lengthy, just acknowledgment of the honor and commitment to proving worthy of it."
Lin Feng's stomach tightened slightly. Public speaking before an entire major sect was daunting in ways that combat wasn't.
At least in combat, failure means physical injury rather than social humiliation.
The afternoon brought his first official training session—philosophical instruction with Elder Tianxue. They met in the same tea pavilion where she'd conducted his evaluation, but the atmosphere was different now. Less assessment, more genuine teaching.
"Your philosophical foundation is strong but somewhat narrow," she observed after they'd settled with tea. "You understand void principles deeply but lack exposure to other cultivation philosophies. That creates blind spots in your dao comprehension."
"How does understanding other paths help my void cultivation?"
"Because cultivation advancement at higher levels requires synthesizing multiple perspectives. Cloud Transformation isn't just about reaching power threshold—it's about transforming your understanding of reality itself." Elder Tianxue poured tea with precise movements. "Let me teach you about ice philosophy. How it relates to and contrasts with void principles."
What followed was fascinating education. Elder Tianxue explained how ice cultivation viewed reality—as something to be given structure and form, as chaos that could be organized through will and technique. She contrasted this with void cultivation's emphasis on liberation from structure, on recognizing form's temporary nature.
"The paradox is that both approaches are correct," she explained. "Reality is simultaneously structured and structureless, formed and formless. Ice cultivators impose order. Void cultivators reveal underlying flexibility. Both are necessary for complete understanding."
"So by understanding ice philosophy, I gain perspective on void cultivation's limitations?"
"Precisely. Every cultivation path has strengths and blindnesses. Void cultivation excels at liberation but struggles with creation. Ice cultivation excels at manifestation but struggles with dissolution. By understanding both, you transcend either's individual limitations."
They spent three hours in philosophical discussion that expanded Lin Feng's dao comprehension significantly. Elder Tianxue was remarkable teacher—challenging without being overwhelming, insightful without being condescending.
As their session concluded, she offered final observation: "You have genuine wisdom unusual for your age and experience. That will serve you well as you advance. But Lin Feng, remember—wisdom without power is philosophy. Power without wisdom is destruction. Cultivate both equally."
"I will, Elder. Thank you for the instruction."
Evening brought the formal announcement ceremony. Lin Feng dressed in new robes provided by the Frozen Sky Sect—deep blue with subtle void-pattern embroidery, formal enough for ceremony while acknowledging his cultivation path. The craftsmanship was extraordinary, with formation arrays woven into the fabric that enhanced spiritual energy circulation and provided defensive capabilities.
These robes alone are worth more than everything I owned as a servant combined.
The ceremony was held in the Frozen Palace's grand hall—a space that could accommodate the sect's entire inner disciple population plus elders and honored guests. Several thousand cultivators attended, their spiritual signatures creating pressure that made the air feel thick despite formation ventilation.
Lin Feng stood beside Yun Qingxue on the ceremonial platform, their positions carefully arranged to demonstrate both equality and acknowledgment of her higher status. Patriarch Bingfeng occupied the central position of authority, with the twelve evaluation elders arrayed behind her.
"Members of the Frozen Sky Sect," the Patriarch's voice carried across the hall with spiritual energy enhancement. "We gather tonight to make formal announcement regarding our sect's Ice Goddess and her chosen Dao Companion."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd—most had heard rumors but this would be official confirmation.
"After extensive evaluation, the elder committee has unanimously approved recognition of Lin Feng of Celestial Dawn Sect as Lady Yun Qingxue's Dao Companion. This relationship is hereby formally acknowledged and supported by sect authority."
The crowd's reaction was mixed—some applause, some shocked silence, some whispered conversations that suggested disapproval. Lin Feng could feel thousands of gazes on him, assessing, judging, forming opinions that would influence his entire residency.
"Furthermore," Patriarch Bingfeng continued, "Lin Feng has demonstrated exceptional potential and is invited to train within our sect as guest disciple for six months. During this period, he will have access to cultivation resources and instruction appropriate to his demonstrated capability."
More murmurs. Guest disciple status was rare—most outsiders received brief visits at best, never extended residency with resource access.
"Lady Yun, do you wish to speak?"
Yun Qingxue stepped forward, her presence radiating Ice Goddess authority that commanded immediate silence. "I chose Lin Feng as my Dao Companion because our daos recognized compatibility and resonance. The evaluation has proven what I already knew—he is worthy of this recognition through merit and character. I am honored to walk my cultivation path alongside him."
She said it simply, without elaborate justification or defensive tone. Just statement of fact delivered with absolute confidence.
"Lin Feng, do you wish to speak?"
He stepped forward, heart pounding but voice steady when he spoke: "Honored Patriarch, esteemed elders, members of the Frozen Sky Sect—I am deeply grateful for this recognition and the opportunity to train within your distinguished sect. I will strive to prove worthy of the trust you've shown and to honor the Dao Companion bond through cultivation advancement and proper conduct. Thank you for accepting someone from modest background and evaluating me on merit rather than connections."
Brief and humble, as the Patriarch had advised. Acknowledge the honor without excessive self-deprecation, show gratitude without appearing weak.
The ceremony continued with formal documentation, ceremonial gift exchanges, and political speeches from various elders. Lin Feng maintained appropriate composure throughout, though internally he was overwhelmed by the event's magnitude.
This is really happening. Formal recognition before thousands of witnesses. No going back now—the relationship is public, official, politically complicated for everyone involved.
After the ceremony concluded, a reception followed where Lin Feng was introduced to various sect members and political factions. The experience was exhausting—constant evaluation, careful word choices, political maneuvering disguised as casual conversation.
Yun Qingxue stayed close, providing support and social navigation assistance. "That's Elder Bingxin's granddaughter—be respectful but don't over-commit to any requests. The man in green robes is Elder Xuanbing's nephew—polite distance is appropriate. The woman approaching now is formation master who might offer advanced technique instruction..."
Hours of careful social interaction finally ended near midnight. Lin Feng and Yun Qingxue escaped to a private garden where they could finally speak without political calculations.
"That was exhausting," Lin Feng admitted, settling onto a bench overlooking a frozen meditation pond. "Combat against Cloud Transformation cultivators is easier than navigating sect politics."
"You did well. Better than I expected for your first major sect social event." Yun Qingxue sat beside him, close enough that their spiritual energies mingled through proximity. "Several elders approached me afterward with favorable impressions. Even some who were skeptical are reconsidering after meeting you personally."
"What about Elder Xuanbing's faction?"
"Still hostile but unable to act on it. They're forced to accept the evaluation results, but they'll look for any opportunity to undermine or criticize." She turned to face him directly. "Lin Feng, the next six months won't be easy. Training with sect elders, navigating politics, proving yourself to skeptics—all while advancing your cultivation. It's going to be intense."
"I know. But I'm ready for it." He met her ice-blue eyes. "We've worked too hard to get here to waste the opportunity through fear or hesitation."
"Good. Because my mother has already arranged your first major challenge." Yun Qingxue's expression showed mixture of pride and concern. "In two weeks, you'll participate in the Frozen Sky Sect's inner disciple tournament. It's tradition—all guest disciples must compete to establish ranking and demonstrate capability."
Lin Feng's eyebrows rose. "Tournament combat two weeks after the Jade Lotus Tournament?"
"Smaller scale but higher difficulty. Frozen Sky inner disciples are all Divine Domain Level 4 or higher, with several at Level 5 and 6. You'll be fighting the sect's best young cultivators." She paused. "It's a test. To see if your evaluation performance was sustainable or just temporary peak."
"So the evaluation isn't really over. It's just expanded into extended assessment."
"Essentially, yes. Welcome to major sect life—you're constantly being evaluated, constantly proving yourself, constantly under observation." Yun Qingxue's hand found his. "But you're not alone in it. I'll help however I can."
They sat together in comfortable silence for long minutes, processing the day's events and challenges ahead. Through the Dao Thread, their bond pulsed with shared determination and mutual support.
Finally, as the hour grew impossibly late, they separated to their respective quarters. Tomorrow would bring the beginning of formal training—instruction from Grand Elder Bingxin, access to technique libraries, immersion in major sect cultivation methods.
Lin Feng settled into meditation in his enhanced quarters, drawing on the Inverse Void Dao, feeling void energy circulate through perfect meridians. The Heart of Void pulsed with satisfaction, as if recognizing they'd achieved important milestone.
Evaluation passed. Recognition secured. Six-month training opportunity accepted. Now comes the hard part—actually proving I deserve everything they're offering.
Divine Domain Level 4 now. Cloud Transformation Level 1 is the goal. In six months, can I advance two or three levels? That would put me at Level 6 or 7, approaching the Cloud Transformation threshold.
Ambitious. But the resources here, the instruction, the environment—all optimized for rapid advancement. If I can't progress quickly here, I can't progress quickly anywhere.
Through his window, the Frozen Sky Sect glowed with formation lights, beautiful and imposing. Somewhere in these buildings, thousands of cultivators trained, advanced, competed for resources and recognition. He was now part of that system—not as outsider but as recognized member with access and expectations.
No pressure at all.
Lin Feng smiled despite anxiety. Pressure created diamonds from coal, as Patriarch Cloud Heaven had said. These six months would forge him into something stronger, more refined, more capable.
Ready or not, tomorrow begins the next phase. Advanced training. Inner sect tournament. Proving myself worthy of the Ice Goddess. Navigating politics while advancing cultivation.
Just another impossible challenge. I've survived several already. What's one more?
He cultivated through the night, preparing for the challenges ahead, determined to make these six months count for everything they could be.
The journey continued.
And Lin Feng was ready to walk it.
TO BE CONTINUED IN CHAPTER 39: THE TECHNIQUE LIBRARY